Elevator-despatcher.



G. W. MEYERS.

ELEVATOR DESPATCHER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12. 1914.

Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

l. Z 1 fig ma .7 e W/ I m 7 m 2 .VHH WV G. W. MEYERS.

ELEVATOR DESPATCHER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12. 1914.

Patented 0 1121915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

J'I' EM feazye Min/3 16239 GEORGE w. MEYERS, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELEVATOR-DESPATCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

Application filed October 12, 1914. Serial No. 866,199.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. MEYERS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented -a certain new and useful Improvement in Elevator-Despatchers,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to elevator despatchers, by which I mean mechanismfor automatically giving the signal to passenger elevators and the likefor starting their trips, and the general object of my invention is toprovide mechanism of this class which shall be not only completelyautomatic but so constructed that a single motor mechanism may controlthe signals for a number (for example 4) of elevators, the mechanism tobe so flexible in adjustment that the different elevators may be run onschedules differing from each other and difiering from themselvesat'diflerent parts of the day. I also desire to render it possible forthe individual elevators to spend a longer time on the going trip thanon the return trip or vice versa. In other words, my purpose is toprovide a device such that a single motor mechanism may be employed togive signals to a bank of elevators operating on inde pendent andvariable schedules and in certain parts of the day occupying more timeor less time on the going trip than on the return trip. In carrying outthis general purpose I have provided a control for each elevator, eachcontrol giving the signal for commencing the going trip and forcommencing the return trip. I have also provided mechanism wherebythevarious parts are adjustable both for time, wear, etc., and have sodesigned the elements that they shall be few in number, simple inconstruction and certain in operation. These matters will be brought outmore fully in the following description.

In the accompanying drawings in which similar numerals referto similarparts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation ofthe complete device taken on the line l1, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan ofthe device. Figs. 3 and 4 are views of the contact disks and associatedmechanism showing the parts in different positions to thereby illustratetheir principle of operation. The plane of section is indicated by theline 33, Fig. 1. vFig. 5 is a sectional detail on the line 55 Fig. 3.Fig. 6 is a perspective of the parts shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 is awiring diagram.

In the form selected to illustrate the invention a base 1 of insulatingmaterial is provided with four pairs of standards 2, 2 symmetricallyplaced and fastened by bolts 4 or otherwise. These standards are ofmetal and the screws 4 serve as binding posts, the result being that thestandards are in circuit. A block 5 of insulating material is supportedby each pair of standards as shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 1. A hollowshaft 6 is journaled preferably at the middle of each of said blocks 5,the inner end of said shaft being rotatably supported upon a stud 7screwing into a head block- 8 which fits over a non-rotary post 9.According to the present design post 9 is rigidly secured to the base 10of the stationary frame 11 by a nut 12. At the upper end said post isprovided with a shoulder 13 which supports block 8 and said block isheldseated .on said shoulder by a cap nut 14. A rotary sleeve 16 fitsloosely over post 9 and is journaled in the boss 17 of frame 11. Saidsleeve is driven by any suitable mechanism for example, the worm Wheel18 engaged by the worm 19 fastened to shaft 20. Shaft 20 is journaled inthe brackets 21 on frame 11 and is driven by a worm wheel 23 engaged bya worm 2 1 which is driven by a shaft 25 receiving its power from amotor 26 or other suitable actuating device.

The rotary sleeve 16 supports and drives a friction disk 30 and,according to the construction illustrated, said friction disk is axiallythreaded at the center and screws onto a screw 31 fastened to androtating with sleeve 16. A look nut 32 holds the disk adjustably inplace, the result being that when said sleeve is rotated the disk willalso rotate and the disk may he vertically adjusted by first backing offthe nut 32 and then screwing the disk up or down as may be desired.

The rotary movement of the friction driving disk 30 is transmitted tothe'shafts 6 by friction wheels 32 which are preferably provided withtreads 33 of rubber or other substance which will increase the tractiveeffect of the disk on the wheels. Each friction wheel 32 is adjustablelengthwise of its shaft 6. In the form illustrated each friction wheelhas an internal pin 35 which travels in a slot 6 in the hollow shaft 6,said pin also serving to fasten the wheel to a threaded block 37 locatedwithin the shaft. An adjusting screw 38 passes axially through block 37and near its outer end is provided with a collar 39 which fits looselywith n sleeve 6. Collar 39 receives the end of a pin 41 which isfastened to and extends inwardly a short distance from the side of shaft6 as shown at the upper left portion of Fig. 1. The result is that screw38. may rotate but may not move longitudinallywithin the .hollow shaft.Said screw is rotated by means of a knurled head 43 located beyond theouter end of shaft 6. From the foregoing it will be evident that byrotating the knurled head 43 relative to shaft 6 the friction wheel 32may be shifted closer to or farther from the axis of rotation of thedriving disk 30.

Attached to each shaft 6 are two companion contact elements 45 and 46.These are of metal and are in electrical connectlon with the shaft. Theyare adjustably connected to the shaft by counter sunk set screws 47,best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. In outline these contact disks assumethe form of snail cams, each having at one point an undercut shoulder49. Riding upon the periphery of each of these disks is a block 50 ofinsulating material screwed or otherwise fastened to the under side of aconductor terminal. One of these conductor terminals is marked 51 andthe other 52, the terminal 51 being in circuit with one of the startingbells and the other in circuit with the other starting bell of the sameelevator (it being understood that my apparatus is designed to give theelevator operator a signal both for starting the up trip and another forstarting the down trip). The terminal 51 is supported upon a block 53 ofinsulating material mounted upon the main block 5 and connected by aconductor 54 and grip 55 to a screw 56 which passes down through block 5and screws onto the metallic standard 2. The terminal 52 rests upon theblock 5 beneath the block 53 and is provided preferably with a boss orsleeve 57 for making contact with the screw 58 as shown in detail inFig. 5; Said screw 58 passes down through the insulating block 5 andscrews into the standard 2 beneath, thus putting the terminal 51 intoelectrical contact with one of the standards. Screw 58 is suitablyinsulated from terminal 51; for example, in the manner shown in Fig. 5.The terminals 51 and 52 are of metal, and resilient, and tend to pressthe rider blocks 50 against the surface of the contact disks. Byreference to Figs. 3, 4 and 6 it will be apparent that the terminals 51.and 52 project slightly beyond the ends of the insulating riders 50.The result is that when the contact disks (rotating as they do in ananticlockwise direction) bring the ends of the shoulders 49 to the endsof the blocks 50, the

projecting ends of the terminals drop down and make temporary electricalcontact with the disks beneath. The projecting ends, however, are short,and so it is only a moment before said shoulders have rotated out ofengagement and permitted the riders 50 to drop down onto the surfaces ofthe disks. In brief, the rotating disks make and break contact withtheir respective terminals 51 and 52, the engagement persisting only ashort period of time, sufficient to energize the bell, buzzer, indicatorlamp or whatever signal is provided for the information of the elevatoroperator.

Referring now to the electric connections, including the diagram of Fig.7, let a, Z), 0, d, e, f, g and 72, represent the bells or othersignaling elements. These are all connected in series to a battery B orother suitable source of electro-motive force. The remaining terminal ofthe battery is connected by a return conductor R which in the actualdevice is connected by the nut 12 or otherwise to the center post 9 andthrough said post to the different hollow shafts 6. Thus the edge of thecontact disks 45 is in permanent electric connection with the battery.The remaining terminals of the signal elements a, b, c, d, e, f, g and hare connected by individual conductors to the terminals 51, 52 throughthe standards 2 in the manner hereinabove described. It is obvioustherefore that the circuit through each signal element is normallybroken but is temporarily established when the projecting end of theterminal engages the shoulder 51 of the respective contact disks.

In operation, when the motor 26 or other power device is started it willcause the driving disk 30 to rotate and this in turn will cause each ofthe friction wheels 32 to rotate. Thespeed of rotation of any individualwheel 32 will depend upon its distance from the axis of rotation of thedriving disk. Thus a complete rotation of any driving wheel 32 may beaccomplished in a short or a long period by simply adjusting thefriction wheel longitudinally of its ,hollow shaft 6. It is evident thatfor each complete rotation of a friction wheel 32, two signals will begiven to the operator of the elevator to which the particular shaft inquestion is assigned, this resulting from thef-act that each hollowshaft is provided with two contact disks 45, 46, one for signaling tostart the going trip and the other for signaling to start the returntrip. Thus the period of rotation of any given shaft 6 determines theperiod for a round trip of the elevator which it controls and thisperiod may be lengthened or shortened within any reasonable limitsthrough the agency of the adjusting screw 38. But those skilled in theart are aware that frequently it occurs that the going. trip may belonger or shorter than the return trip, for example, in an officebuilding in the rush hours in the morning when the employees are-comingto work the up trip will take the longest time, there being few if anypassengers for the down trip. In fact, in some buildings at such timessome of the elevator operators will be instructed to make no stops onthe down trip thus increasing the actual passenger carrying capacity ofthe bank ofelevators as a whole. Of course, at quitting time in theevening the conditions will be reversed. My mechanism provides for allthese conditions for not only can the duration of the round trip beincreased or decreased by adjusting the position of the friction wheels32 but the portions of the period assigned to the up trip and theidowntrip may be varied by varying the positions of the contact disks and 46angularly with respect to each other. If it is desired that the up tripand down trip shall be of equal length, the shoulders 49 will beadjusted to a position 180 apart; any variation from this may beproduced by varying the angle between them.

In the design shown, the apparatus is capable of despatching fourdifferent elevators and all four are operated from a single motormechanism. It is evident, however, that the capacity of the machine maybe greatly increased without increasing the number of driving disks 30,itbeing necessary simply to provide additional friction wheels 32 andthe parts operated thereby. In fact,'an extensive bank of elevators maybe completely controlled by apparatus cons'tructed on my principle andan abundant range of adjustment is possible for each elevator not onlyas to the period for a round.

, trip consumed respectively by the going and return trips. While thisdevice is of special utility in connection With the despatching ofelevators, its utility is not necessarily confined to such use, it beingpossible to employ the mechanism in' many situations where periodicsignals are required.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with anelectrically operated signal element and circuit means for energizingthe same, of an element rotating at constant speed, a circuit breakerfor controlling the signal element and transmitting mechanism operatingsaid circuit breaker and operated by said constant speed element, saidtransmitting mechanism including a variable speed gear for the purposedescribed. I

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with anelectrically operated signal element and circuit means for energizingthe same, of a 'disk rotating at constant speed, a circuit breaker forcontrolling the signal element, and transmitting mechanism operatingsaid circuit breaker, said transmitting mechanism including a frictionwheel driven by said disk and adjustable toward and from the axis ofsaid disk and mechanical connections between said wheel and said circuitbreaker.

3. In an elevator despatcher the combination of a disk rotating atconstant speed, a friction wheel driven by said disk and adjustabletoward and from the axis of rotation thereof, an electrically controlledsignal element, and a circuit therefor, said circuit including aterminal and a rotary contacter cooperating therewith for making andbreaking the circuit, said contacter being rotated by said frictionwheel.

4. In an elevator despatcher, the combination of a signal element andits electric circuit, a stationary terminal in said circuit, a rotarycontact also in circuit and adapted to engage said terminal, saidcontact approximating the outline ofa snail cam with a shoulder at onepoint in its perlphery, and an insulating rider normally holding theterminal out of engagement with said rotary contact, said terminalprojecting beyond said rider to thereby momentarily engage the contactafter the shoulder of the contact has rotated out from under the rider.

5. In an elevator despatcher, thecombination of a signal element and itselectric circuit, a rotating driving disk, a friction wheel driven bysaid disk, a hollow shaft on which said wheel is longitudinallyslidable, a circuit breaker operated by said shaft, means connected tosaid wheel for driving said shaft and means for adjusting the positionof said wheel lengthwise of said shaft to thereby vary the distance ofthe friction Wheel from the axis of rotation of the disk.

6. In a signal giving device, a pair of electrically operated signalingelements, an electric circuit for each of them and two rotary circuitbreakers, one for each of said .circuits, said circuit breakers beingangularly adjustable relatively .to each other, a constant speed drivingelement, and variable speed transmitting mechanism for transmitting therotary movement of the constant speed driving element to the circuitbreak ers at the various speeds required.

7. In combination, a pair of electrically operated signals, an electriccircuit for each of them a rotary circuit breaker for each of saidelectric circuits, a shaft common to said circuit breakers forsupporting and rotating them, a constant speed rotary driving elementand variable speed connections between said driving element and saidshaft.

8. In combination, a pair of electrically operated signals, an electriccircuit for each of them, a rotary circuit breaker for each of saidcircuits, a shaft whereon said circuit breakers are mounted, a constantspeed driving disk, and a friction wheel contacting the surface of saiddisk, said wheel being slidable lengthwise of said shaft for varying thedistance of said wheel from the axis of the shaft, said wheel beingconstructed to drive said shaft in all positions of said wheel.

9. An elevator despatcher comprising a pair of electrically operatedsignals, an electric circuit for each of them, a rotary circuit 1breaker for each of said circuits, a hollow engaging the face of saiddisk, a shaft parallel to the face of the disk, said wheel being splinedupon the shaft, means carried by said shaft for adjusting the positionof the wheel lengthwise thereof, a plurality of contact disks mounted onsaid shaft and rotating therewith, said disks being substantially in theform of snail cams with shoulders in their peripheral surfaces, anelectric terminal for each of said disks, a rider block on each of saidterminals normally holding the terminal out of engagement with theassociated contact disk, said terminals projecting slightly beyond theirrider blocks whereby there is momentary engagement between a terminaland its disk just after the shoulder of the disk has passed out fromunder the rider block, and an electrically operated signal in circuitwith each of said terminals, one of said contact disks forming theremaining end of each circuit.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two witnesses.

GEORGE W. MEYERS. Witnesses HOWARD M. Cox, M. S. ROSENZWEIG.

